I was thinking better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was thinking better" is not correct in standard English.
It may be intended to express an improvement in thought or reasoning, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "After reviewing the data, I realized I was thinking better about the project's direction."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Many times I was thinking, better to retire or not?" Krumm said of her calf problem.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I do it and go back to sleep, and the next morning I'm thinking better, so I call the 800 number again and ask what it was I ordered the night before.

The New Yorker

No doubt the creator was thinking "better too much than too little…".

TechCrunch

My photo from 2007: pic.twitter.com/v7lbQwLuxO Abiding memory of #Palmyra in 2010 is thinking better than Pompei, without any of fences.

Independent

I was thinking I better not screw my daughter up.

The New York Times

"I was thinking I better hurry up," Posada said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was thinking, 'You better not blow your first opportunity,' " Robertson said, "or Mo might come in to smack me around".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was just me and him and I was thinking 'you better not try and get off with me'," jokes the High Flying Birds frontman, "He's a proper geezer, I love him".

Independent

"I was thinking about bettering the design of the ones I already drew later on … if I will find some time from school," she said.

Huffington Post

But I was thinking that I better not screw up at the recital.

The New York Times

But I was thinking it's better to play Chela than to play Rafa (Nadal).

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of saying "I was thinking better", opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "I was thinking more clearly" or "I had a better understanding" to ensure your message is easily understood.

Common error

Don't directly translate thought processes into the phrase "I was thinking better". This construction is not standard English. Refine your language to accurately reflect the improvement in your thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was thinking better" functions as part of a sentence where the subject is indicating a perceived improvement in their cognitive processes. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is not grammatically sound in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "I was thinking better" attempts to convey an improvement in one's thought process, it is not grammatically correct in standard English. As Ludwig AI has pointed out, it's better to use alternative phrases like "I was thinking more clearly" or "I had a better understanding" to accurately express this idea. Although the phrase appears in a limited number of sources including news and media, formal documents, and scientific articles, it is still advisable to avoid it in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I thought it better

Emphasizes the decision-making aspect, highlighting that a better choice was considered.

I felt it was better to think

Focuses on the feeling or intuition that preceded a more reasoned thought process.

I believed it was better

Highlights a conviction or belief that a different approach would yield superior results.

I considered it better

Underscores the act of deliberation and assessment that led to the conclusion.

I found it better to think

Suggests a discovery or realization that a new line of thought was more beneficial.

I decided it was better

Highlights the decision-making process and the choice of a more advantageous option.

I imagined it was better

Emphasizes the hypothetical or speculative nature of considering a superior alternative.

I assumed it was better

Implies a presumption or expectation that a certain course of action would be more effective.

I determined it was better

Conveys a sense of resolution and certainty in identifying a more favorable option.

I gathered it was better

Suggests an inference or conclusion based on available information that a different path would be more productive.

FAQs

How can I correctly express that my thinking has improved?

Instead of using the phrase "I was thinking better", consider saying "I was thinking more clearly" or "My understanding improved" to convey the idea of improved thought processes.

What are some alternatives to "I was thinking better" that sound more natural?

More natural-sounding alternatives include "I had a better understanding", "I was thinking more effectively", or "I gained a clearer perspective".

Is the phrase "I was thinking better" grammatically correct?

The phrase "I was thinking better" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "I was thinking more clearly" or "I had a better idea".

How does "I was thinking more clearly" differ from "I was thinking better"?

"I was thinking more clearly" expresses an improvement in the clarity of your thoughts, while "I was thinking better" is not a standard or grammatically correct way to express this idea. Use "I was thinking more clearly" to convey enhanced clarity in thought.